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Bright, orange flames shot high into the predawn sky as the blaze intensified shortly after firefighters arrived on Bartlett Road near Bibb Distributing.

Bibb sheriff's deputies set up a detour at Barnes Ferry Road as fire hoses blocked the road.

Firefighters took a defensive mode at a major blaze at Middle Georgia Freightliner early Friday, Feb. 2, 2018. Macon-Bibb County fire crews surrounded the building to combat the flames that shut down Ga. 247 near Bibb Distributing Co.

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"We are in a defensive tactic at this time," Macon-Bibb County Fire Assistant Chief Shane Edwards said as a firefighter on an aerial ladder pumped water down on the roof, sending a thick plume of black smoke high into the sky.

Fire Chief Marvin Riggins said firefighters initially battled heavy flames on the inside of the building until it became too dangerous for them.

"The roof was compromised to the point that it was about to collapse in on them, so they did make a withdrawal, had crews back out," Riggins said of the two-alarm fire. "We were very concerned there were lots of explosives inside the building."

Bibb sheriff's deputies have Ga. 247 blocked at Bartlett Road due to a major fire across from Bibb Distributing Friday, February 2, 2018.